Walking on the Waves 1

Matthew 14:22-24, "Immediately after this, Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he sent the people home. Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves."

There are several important lessons we can learn form the time that Jesus and Peter walked on the water together.

The disciples entered the boat at Jesus' command. The fact that we are walking in obedience to God does not guarantee that we will be spared from adversity. Also, the fact that adversity comes to us does not necessarily mean we are out of God's will. Sometimes the greatest lessons we can learn in the Christian life are learned in our hardest times. Often our fellowship with God is the sweetest when we are struggling the most. But it's important for us to let our problems and trials press us closer to God rather than allowing them to come between God and us.

We don't know how long the disciples had struggled in the storm, but it could have been several hours. Jesus came to the disciples during the fourth watch of the night, which would been between three a.m. and six a.m. Many times we are allowed to struggle for awhile in our situations before God rescues us, because He is teaching us and testing us first. Sometimes it seems that God will be too late to save us, but He is always right on time for His purposes. He will never be late, but He does miss many opportunities to be early!

Even though God may not rescue us from our circumstances right away, He is always beside us in the storms of life. He knew exactly where His disciples were and what was happening to them, and He knows where we are and what is happening to us at all times. He has given us His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and we can count on that. He will make it possible for us to weather our storms according to His plans for us. Isaiah 43:2 tells us that God says, "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.'

Father, I thank You that You know all about my life at every moment, and You are working out Your plans for Me. Thank You that You never leave me, never forget me, and never forsake me. Amen.